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With Christmas and New Year over, January is traditionally the month to start new things. Whilst people often join the gym, make a list of New Year’s resolutions, or look for a new job during this time, another increasingly common activity during this period is considering getting divorced.

Indeed, according to Amicable, a divorce support service, over 40,000 people will use the internet to look up ‘divorce’ during January this year. In 2016, January was the most popular month to search for divorce too according to Google Trends.

This increase in divorce searches could be partly explained by January being a time of reflection for many. After the Christmas period, which can often be quite hectic, there is time to take stock of personal lives and goals. Issues that may have been present before the festive period, but put on the backburner during this busy time, are now at the forefront of people’s minds. As Katy Daly, one of the co-founders of Amicable, states: “Relationships don’t suddenly go wrong but January provides the first opportunity to reflect on issues that have been brewing and put on hold for months. It usually culminates in ‘divorce day’, the first Monday back to work after the Christmas break.”

This rise in searches during January could also help to explain the increase in divorce rates more generally. The latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics indicate an increase of 5.8% of divorces between opposite sex couples during 2016, meaning divorce is more common than ever before.

Furthermore, a rise in divorce searches and divorce proceedings, leads to more people looking for new homes as they split from their partners. At Grahame Stowe Bateson, we have a team of conveyancing solicitors who can help with the legal aspect of your house move as well.

Grahame Stowe Bateson is a leading solicitor in Leeds. Our expert team cover all private client areas including Divorce, Conveyancing, Family Law, Wills and Probate. If you are looking for a solicitor in the Leeds area please get in touch today by calling 0113 246 8163.